Tool kit for Gender and Agriculture - Economic Commission for Africa

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Improving Agriculture through Gender Analysis
across villages village
Choice of method. In general, surveys are used for data that need to be extrapolated
to larger populations, whereas the other methods are more suitable for descriptive
information and for identifying relevant issues (see Box 6). Quantitative data are useful
for sector work and to convince skeptics of the need to address gender issues. Project
identification and appraisal requires information on gender-roles and gender-specific
barriers in the rural economy. Such information should be supported by data on the focus
of the project or program, from the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) or agricultural
statistical units. The project design should include the collection and evaluation of
gender-disaggregated data for monitoring and evaluation. Involving ministry staff,
such as extension agents, in organizing, collecting, and analyzing information is a good
awareness-raising and training tool.
Box 6: Household Surveys Compared with Rapid or Participatory Appraisals:
Different Goals and Results
• Large household surveys are costly and time consuming; the data are not always
equally reliable. Surveys may, however, be needed for impact studies or for more
detail⎯for example, when planning a credit program targeting women or studying
female-headed households. Gender-disaggregated questions should be included
(and exploited) whenever surveys are conducted.
• Objectively conducted, less exacting methods, such as rapid or participatory rural
appraisals, are preferable. Many different rapid appraisal techniques exist, such as
focus groups, key informant interviews, village discussions, mapping, transect
walks, seasonal analysis, trend diagramming, matrix ranking, wealth ranking, and
strength/weakness/opportunity/limitations (SWOL) analyses (for details, see Table
5).
• The method chosen depends on the type and amount of information needed. Walking
tours, spatial maps, and group interviews are especially suitable for natural resources
management projects. Focus group interviews are useful for learning about
gender roles in agriculture; they may be supplemented by calendars and labor profiles,
if new technologies or commodities are being promoted.
Two main sources⎯experienced staff and the rural population⎯should be used
as cross-checks. Whenever possible, information should be collected directly from rural
women (see Box 5). Experienced women agents can provide a cross-check or be the
main source of information. The sample size should be decided after consulting extension
staff on the homogeneity of gender roles in the farming system and of women’s
other productive activities.